Oofos Oomy Zen Review: Finding Our Zen

Introduction to the Oofos Oomy Zen

SAM: Active recovery. Much talked about, but never clearly defined. Is it making sure to do a cooldown? Going for a walk on a day off? Stretching while in line at the grocery store? Wearing a comfortable pair of shoes? You might not have expected the last one, but if it’s up to me, everyone would have to consider the shoes they wear when they are not training as part of their recovery process. I personally have had to consider what shoes I wear to work every day as a key part of my training so that I can avoid further plantar issues.

Situations like mine are where the Oofos Oomy Zen comes in. The Oomy Zen is a minimalist active-recovery shoe from the good folks over at Oofos. Did it help me avoid getting cranky feet when I wake up? Let’s see.

What we like about the Oofos Oomy Zen

SAM: The Oofos Oomy Zen is one of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. It’s that simple. There are a few factors that go into that statement, but I wanted to get it out of the way first. The footbed of this shoe is classic Oofos and immaculately designed. The Oofoam footbed is comfortable and supportive under your foot, making you feel like you’re gliding on marshmallows as you walk around. There is also a subtle heel/toe offset that keeps you rolling as well, and I think that is an aspect of the design that may go unnoticed.

As a stability reviewer, I particularly loved the cupped heel for the stability it adds. A shoe this hefty could easily get unstable, so that is another aspect of the design that Oofos nailed.

Moving up, the upper is a divisive part of the Oofos Oomy Zen for me. But first, the positives. The upper does a great job of hugging your foot. It is snug, stable, and adds to the comfort of the shoe. The ridged supports make this upper so stable, because a sock-like fit can easily go south if it begins to slip and loosen around the collar. The ridges prevent that from happening. The chalk colorway is an added bonus because it allows the shoe to match well with both athletic wear outfits and “normal” outfits. That adds the cherry on top of this as an all-day, every-day active-recovery shoe.

What we don’t like about the Oofos Oomy Zen

SAM: While being a core positive, the upper also highlights my challenges with the Oofos Oomy Zen. When most people think of active recovery and Oofos, they think of a shoe they can wear directly after a workout or run. That is the one thing that bothers me about this shoe. A close-fitting knit upper like this will smell and get dirty immediately after you wear it post-run or workout.

After about two months of wear, both after workouts and general use, I found these shoes got quite dirty. They are billed as machine washable and that took away the stink, but didn’t take away the dirt and stains. My next step will be taking a Mr. Clean magic eraser to the shoe, but I’m not sure what effect that will have. Despite the positives of the upper, its inclination to get dirty forces me to knock my Form grade from a 5 to a 4.

Also, had I not been offered this shoe for review, I would never have owned it. There’s no way I would spend $160 on a shoe just for active recovery. If you are financially able and can make peace with it, go right ahead, but there are better options for your money that will last through the wear and tear of training.

Final thoughts on the Oofos Oomy Zen

SAM: I love the Oofos Oomy Zen. I really do. I have said it four times so far, but it’s so comfortable. It fits great, looks good, and has a soft and supportive feel. Everything about this shoe would earn a 5/5 for me if not for the price. We here at Believe in the Run are not blind to the cost of shoes, and I would be remiss for ignoring the fact that this is $160. They’re double the price of other Oofos recovery shoes and nearly three times the price of other popular slides. If you can stomach the price and keep it clean, you’re going to find your zen no matter where you wear them. Enjoy the miles, friends.

You can pick up the Oofos Oomy Zen for $160 from Oofos by using the buttons below.